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Location. Residence Inn Marriott Midland is a business friendly hotel located in Midland, close to Scharbauer Sports Complex and First American Bank Ballpark. Other area points of interest include The Horseshoe Midland County Multipurpose Facility and The Petroleum Museum.
Hotel Features. Recreational amenities include a fitness facility. This 3 star property has a business center. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. The hotel serves a complimentary buffet breakfast. Guests can enjoy a complimentary manager's reception on select days. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include gift shops/newsstands, laundry facilities, and dry cleaning/laundry services.
Guestrooms. All guestrooms at Residence Inn Marriott Midland feature coffee/tea makers. Refrigerators and microwaves are offered. Wired high speed and wireless Internet access is complimentary. Cable television is provided.
n Notifications and Fees:nnnnThe following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 75 per pet, per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. n Notifications and Fees:nnnnThe following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 75 per pet, per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Hotel Year Built 2008 Additional Property Description Whether traveling for business or fun, the Courtyard by Marriott Midland Odessa provides exactly what you need well appointed guest rooms a hot breakfast and services to make you comfortable and productive. The Courtyard by Marriott Midland Odessa also houses the 15 05 Lounge open Mon Fri, 5pm till 12 midnight with cocktails, beer and wine. The Lounge kitchen is open Mon Fri, 5pm to 10pm that also offers a delicious menu containing seasonal and regional cuisine for your dining pleasure. Relax in our outdoor pool or gazebo in the spacious courtyard. Two meeting rooms are available with capacities up to 250 make it an ideal location for business meetings, private banquets, or wedding receptions. Located on the corner of Hwy 191 and Loop 250 make us a great location to get to any destination in Midland or Odessa. Scharbauer Sports Complex is our close neighbor within walking distance to any game, tournament, or event. There is much more in Midland and we would be glad to tell you about it... see you soon

A nonprofit organization dedicated to the visual arts, Palm Beach Photographic Centre has kept citizens abreast of ever-evolving aesthetics since it was incorporated in 1985. Recently settled into their brand-new facility in the City Hall complex, guest instructors including Robert Farber, Ross Whitaker, and Laurence Gartel hold more than 300 photography workshops every year. The in-house staff teaches other classes, with curricula ranging from Photoshop tutorials to technology-oriented lectures to far-flung traveling workshops in such locales as Peru, Bali, and the mirror city located beneath Lake Mangonia. Members earn discounts on all of these opportunities, receive invitations to exclusive events, and get the chance to be displayed in the annual INFOCUS juried exhibition.

One of the more popular pizza places in Midland, Double Dave's offers amazing pizza and good sandwiches. It's a culinary destination for guests seeking incredible food.
There's not really a recommended attire, so feel free to dress comfortably.
There really is something for everyone, with gluten-free options, as well as low-fat and vegetarian items on the robust menu. Plus, if you're on the lookout for the perfect spot for family or friends, it's been reviewed as a solid option for large groups and kids. In addition to its quick service (take-out is available), the restaurant also offers delivery, and can even cater an event for you.
Specializing in both lunch and dinner, Double Dave's stands out, no matter how you slice it. Don't worry about trying to find a spot on the street, as visitors to the restaurant do have access to a private parking lot nearby.

Formerly housing the Collin County Courthouse, McKinney Performing Arts Center boasts a history that dates all the way back to 1848. With its French Second Empire design, featuring twin towers, carved stone, and a precipitous mansard roof, the historic district courtroom doubled as a haven for lawmakers and a dance hall for denizens, and was once among the tallest buildings of north Texas. After the Collin County Courthouse relocated in 1979, the building was eventually rehabilitated and renamed the McKinney Performing Arts Center in 2006. The former home of hanging judges is now a hot spot for music, theater, and comedy, sporting intimate views from its main floor and balcony. The performance center also rumbles with the stirring sounds of its massive 1920s Wurlitzer theater pipe organ.

Body Focus Laser and Longevity Center offers high-quality and specialized medical treatment for those in the Midland area and beyond.
At Body Focus Laser and Longevity Center, you can improve the health of your skin with one of the many skin care treatment options.
Body Focus Laser and Longevity Center's hair removal services are quick and effective, leaving you feeling refreshed.
The friendly and professional staff at Body Focus Laser and Longevity Center is here when you need immediate medical assistance.
For a smooth look you'll love, primp and prime to the max at Body Focus Laser and Longevity Center.

Groupon Guide

Summer music festivals tend to attract people from all walks of life—including some you probably didn’t even know existed. By now, tried-and-true categories like “hipster” and “jock” have branched off into a thousand subdivisions, and it can be fun to see how many you can spot at the next festival you attend. To help you out, we braved Pitchfork Music Festival for the *sole purpose* of compiling this list of 10 people we can’t seem to avoid at summer music festivals. For better or worse.The Guy Who Stole Your Grandma’s CameraThe first digital cameras hit the consumer market in the late 1990s, or right around the time this guy was born. He must have missed the memo. To this guy, a camera is as much a fashion accessory as a means of image reproduction, but we can’t be too hard on him. For starters, he’s being eco-friendly by recycling grandma’s old Nikon, and there’s no denying the old workhorse looks good in that new leather case.The Guy Who Artfully Photographs MudA close relative of the abovementioned camera guy, this guy sees beauty where others see only dirt. In this case, the equipment matters less than the man. And who is that man, exactly? He is an artist. He is a sensitive intellectual. He is the proud new owner of some seriously mud-caked shoes.The Couple That Sleeps Through Every SetFor some people, summer music festivals are a source of endless anxiety. They fret about things like lining up the perfect schedule, finding a bathroom that’s halfway usable, and navigating their way through a sweaty mass of humanity. Not this couple, though. This couple could teach a master’s seminar in how to chill, which they’d hold on the green lawn toward the back of the crowd. But first they have to wake up.The Guy Who Won’t Put His #%$! Phone AwayIs there anything more annoying than the guy or gal who drops $300 on festival tickets and proceeds to spend the entire day texting away, completely oblivious to the live music right in front of them? This is why millennials get a bad rap. If you don’t believe us, ask the guys who actually work at concert venues.The Guy with the Statement ShirtYou’ll probably run into several thousand strangers at a given music festival, and there’s no way you’ll have the time to school them all on the finer points of life’s philosophy. This guy knows that, which is why he’s come prepared with a shirt that says all he needs to say, to whomever cares to read his chest. You might not agree with him all the time, but one thing is certain: every time he opens his wardrobe, the world is never quite the same.The Guy with No Shirt (But Lots of Hair)Why does this guy always end up next to you in the crowd? Why is he always the sweatiest and the hairiest? It’s not even about looks—T-shirts soak up a lot of moisture, and without one this guy’s skin transforms into a furry slip’n’slide. Oh, well. At least he seems fun to hang out with.The Flower ChildrenIn another, decidedly less hip life, these girls might have found their calling as botanists. Here, however, they’re doing the best they can to revive the Summer of Love. Some might find this trend insufferable, but there’s something to be said for the preponderance of flowers and flower prints at outdoor festivals. If you’re going to be in nature, you might as well be one with nature. Just try to ignore all that garbage on the ground.
The Guy Who’s Over ItIt’s hot out. There are too many people. The beer is warm and the band is out of tune. There are plenty of reasons why a music festival can go wrong in a hurry, and this guy bears the weight of knowing them all. His look says “What am I doing here?,” and we don’t have the answer. Nobody has the answer. You should go home and take a nap, guy. You’ve earned it.
The Girl Who’s Way More Prepared Than YouLook at that condescending smile. It’s a smile that says, “Sure, I remembered my poncho. Did you really think it wasn’t going to rain?” It says, “I can’t see your squinting eyes through my UV-protection sunglasses.” She probably even has some toilet-seat covers stowed away somewhere in that tote. To be fair, though, it isn’t her fault you chose flip-flops over boots.
The Wandering ChildWhose child is this? Check your pockets. Is somebody missing a child?Photos: Jeremey Watson and Grant WalshThe Fans and Artists Who Are Nailing This Festival-Fashion Thing

With no gears, shifters, or even brakes, fixed-gear bicycles (“fixies” in common parlance) are bikes at their most basic. Riding fixed-gear bikes can be both rewarding and practical, though you’ll have to get used to being without some of the comforts that normally come standard on road and mountain bikes. To help you figure out if a fixie might be right for you, we spoke with Luis Iñiguez and Lesley Tweedie of Chicago’s Kozy’s Cyclery and Roscoe Village Bikes, respectively. These two seasoned pros explained some of the benefits and drawbacks of riding fixed-gear bikes. Spoiler alert: they’re not just for hipsters.Riding ExperiencePRO: Fixies are arguably the “purest” form of bike out there. No gears or shifters means a simple, no-nonsense riding style. Pedal forward to go forward; pedal backward to slow down or go in reverse. This engaged riding experience is part of what makes fixies so unique. As Tweedie puts it, fixies help riders “feel at one with the bike” and achieve a better sense of control. CON: Mastering a fixie takes time and patience. Iñiguez and Tweedie have the same advice for anyone looking to start riding a fixed-gear bike: practice, practice, practice. Getting used to starting and stopping without the comforts of shifting and braking takes time, especially in an urban riding environment. “For city riding, it’s definitely something to get used to,” Iñiguez says. If you’re just starting to get comfortable with riding a bike, adds Tweedie, “fixed might not be your best option.”FitnessPRO: You’re constantly moving and using your muscles. Since riders need to start and stop their momentum without the gradual, easy buildup afforded by a set of gears, pedaling a fixie can quickly turn into a challenging lower-body workout. “It forces you to spin the whole time you’re riding,” Tweedie explains. CON: There are better options out there. If you’re looking to use your bike solely for fitness, Tweedie suggests looking beyond fixies. “I wouldn’t recommend fixed [if your goal is getting in shape],” she says. Instead, she recommends something like a hybrid road/mountain bike, which can better handle hills and longer rides.TerrainPRO: For flatland commuters, fixies get you there quickly. If you plan on using your bike for short trips or commutes in mostly flatland areas, a fixie can be great. Its light weight means that it can build some serious speed—fixies have roots in track racing, after all. “Lots of messengers ride fixed-gears,” Tweedie notes, though she stresses the importance of practicing on a fixie before taking it to the street. CON: Hills can be tough to power through. “There are no gears, so the kind of terrain you can ride on is more limited,” Tweedie says of fixies’ versatility. “You need to be strong to go uphill,” Iñiguez adds, so if you know your commute is a hilly one, a fixie might not be for you.MaintenancePRO: Fewer parts means there’s less to fix. Since a fixie lacks the moving parts typically found on other bikes, there’s naturally less to repair. “It’s a low-maintenance type of bike,” Iñiguez says. That minimal upkeep is what compels some riders to swear by fixies. CON: You’ll have to keep an eye on your chain and wheels. Fixie riders should, however, keep an eye on a few potential trouble areas. The bikes’ lack of derailleurs, specifically, can lead to issues with their chains. “Derailleurs help maintain chain tension … there’s nothing to maintain [chain tension] on a fixed gear,” Tweedie explains, adding that without the derailleurs, a fixie’s chain is susceptible to going slack. A fixie’s wheels can undergo a good amount of strain, too. “There’s lots of torque on a fixed rear wheel,” Tweedie adds, noting that all that manual slowing and braking can put a lot of stress on the back wheel. In any case, as long as you’re diligent about maintaining your bike, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.Now, ride on and prosper.Photo: Damon’s new ride by Stephanie Sicore under CC BY 2.0.

While the rest of the United States is still trying to determine the difference between alligators and crocodiles, Gulf Coast residents figured it out long ago: alligators are delicious. So tasty that their meat is commonplace in the region’s grocery stores and restaurants.
It also doesn’t hurt that the New Orleans archbishop categorizes the water-dwelling reptiles as seafood, adding a new ingredient to Lent’s Friday dinners.
Despite their popularity along the Gulf Coast, alligator dishes haven’t caught on in other parts of the country. At least not yet, said Mark Palicki, vice president of marketing for restaurant supplier Fortune Fish & Gourmet in Bensenville, IL. With whole-animal consumption and eco-friendly meats taking center stage as of late, alligator is poised to make its grand entrance. All it will take is one high-profile chef to focus on alligator, he said. “Then, other chefs will follow in abundance.”
So what’s the appeal of alligator meat?
A Familiar Flavor“Tastes like chicken” may be a cliché, but in the case of alligator meat, it’s pretty accurate. Some describe it as a brinier version of chicken, while others say it’s similar to pork. Mark said alligator’s flavor is akin to both meats but with a slightly tougher texture.
Low in Fat, High in ProteinAlligator’s flavor mimics chicken, but the meat’s nutritional content does not. Alligator is filled with significantly more protein than chicken and has less fat, Mark said. Plus, alligator’s fat is wrapped around its meat, making it easy to remove before cooking.
Culinary CreativityThe most common alligator dishes feature the meat breaded and fried into nuggets or ground into sausage. However, alligator meat can be used in most chicken recipes, whether that’s in the form of cutlets, nuggets, stews, or Mark’s favorite—kebabs. And don’t be afraid to use the reptile in its entirety. The most tender sections of alligators are the tail loins and jowls, but as long as the meat is properly tenderized, any cut can be used.
Alligator at Its BestIf Mark’s suggestions aren’t enough, there are plenty of alligator dishes at restaurants across the country to serve as inspiration.
New Orleans flavors fill the menu at Henry’s Louisiana Grill in Acworth, GA, with dishes such as hot-chili gator and alligator-tail po’ boys.For “real Nawlins food,” hit up New Orleans’ Jacques-Imo’s Cafe, whose self-proclaimed “lousy food” includes a savory shrimp and alligator-sausage cheesecake.Known for its exotic meats, Chicago’s Frontier serves fried alligator legs in a cayenne-maple reduction, gator scallopini, and even a whole roasted alligator stuffed with chicken.The chefs at Philadelphia’s Pattaya Grill award adventurous eaters with obscure Thai dishes, such as alligator stir-fry.The owner’s Yucatan background is evident throughout the offerings at Gilberth’s Rotisserie & Grill in San Francisco, including the tacos de lagarto, made with grilled alligator, fresh avocado, and two kinds of salsa.Check out some related reads:The Best Places to Eat a Whole AnimalFrom suckling pig to roasted alligator, these restaurants offer some of the nation’s best nose-to-tail dishes.The Spectacle and the Savagery of Roasted PigOnce exclusively reserved for luaus and Shriners’ summer picnics, pig roasts are now entering the fine-dining arena. We take a look at the experience from the point of view of the chefs who prepare the roasted pigs and the diners who dig in.